1
as in moody
frequently influenced by moods and especially bad moods
one of those temperamental actresses who can make life difficult for everyone around her
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in volatile
likely to change frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly
stock prices have been pretty temperamental lately, often fluctuating wildly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of temperamental
The North Face’s ThermoBall Traction Mules are the perfect shoes to wear for temperamental weather.
—
Iman Balagam, InStyle, 16 Mar. 2026
Other elevated styles that aren’t silk include the Cider Mesh Ruffle Cocktail Dress—made with stretchy spandex and mesh—or the Btfbm Ruffle Mermaid Cocktail Dress with sleeves for temperamental spring weather.
—Anna Popp, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2026
The temperamental Moon hugs vulnerable Chiron, steadying your 2nd House of Resources and your 10th House of Control.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 1 Mar. 2026
These landscapes may feel untamed, temperamental, and raw, but that’s where their romance lies.
—Nicola Chilton, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for temperamental
Iman Balagam, InStyle, 16 Mar. 2026
Other elevated styles that aren’t silk include the Cider Mesh Ruffle Cocktail Dress—made with stretchy spandex and mesh—or the Btfbm Ruffle Mermaid Cocktail Dress with sleeves for temperamental spring weather.
—Anna Popp, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2026
The temperamental Moon hugs vulnerable Chiron, steadying your 2nd House of Resources and your 10th House of Control.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 1 Mar. 2026
These landscapes may feel untamed, temperamental, and raw, but that’s where their romance lies.
—Nicola Chilton, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for temperamental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for temperamental
Adjective
-
More than a decade after breaking through with its moody, black-and-white aesthetic, the Neighbourhood remains a defining voice in alternative pop — and fans in Fort Worth can expect both nostalgia and new material when the band returns to the stage.—
Travis Pinson,
Dallas Morning News,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Though the restaurant is still under construction, the chefs say the goal is a comfortable, neighborhood atmosphere — minimalist, moody and approachable.—
Eva Remijan-Toba,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Flying is the company’s second Nova-C lander named Athena featuring NASA’s PRIME-1 drill, to land a drill and mass spectrometer near the south pole of the moon in order to demonstrate the feasibility of in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) and measure the volatile content of subsurface samples.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 Mar. 2026
-
But tungsten prices are particularly volatile during wartime – it’s used in armor-piercing artillery.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
But the relief of not having to wait for surgery mixed with the shock of the moment made Giese and her husband impulsive.—
Jaclyn Cosgrove,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2026
-
The American president appears to have no clear end game for his war against Iran, and his seemingly impulsive use of military force may in fact enhance Xi’s call for a more balanced, pragmatic global order.—
Michael Schuman,
The Atlantic,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Airport conditions have become increasingly unpredictable with swelling crowds seen in major hubs.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Prices are subject to rapid, unpredictable changes due to factors like, but not limited to, supply/demand, weather, and geopolitical events.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Weak—or even nonexistent—overnight freezes have left the snowpack soft and unstable early in the day, limiting the window for safe travel.—
Callie Zanandrie,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
But sometime between 100 million and 200 million years ago, the moon's orbit became unstable, and a series of gravitational interactions sent Chrysalis on a fatal, grazing encounter with Saturn.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Temperamental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/temperamental. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
